Chapter 13: Trap Question

Gianna’s POV

The camera lights were bright as we walked into the courtyard. Ryker kept his arm steady under my hand. He smiled at the old donors and nodded at the coaches. He looked like a perfect, charming star athlete. No one could tell his shoulder was hurting under his nice blazer.

We sat down at a large round table near the front. Two other hockey players and their dates sat with us. Plates of expensive fruit and pastries were placed on the table, but I was too alert to eat. My eyes kept scanning the crowd, looking for any danger.

"You're doing great," Ryker murmured, leaning close to my ear as if to whisper a sweet comment. "Just keep smiling."

"I am smiling," I whispered back through my teeth, keeping my eyes on the crowd.

Before he could answer, a woman with a notepad and a small microphone stepped up to our table. She had a press badge that read Campus News. Her eyes were sharp as she looked straight at me.

"Ryker, Gianna, do you have a minute for a few quick questions?" she asked, already turning on her recording device.

Ryker nodded smoothly. "Sure, Vanessa. Make it quick. We're about to get our food."

"Of course," Vanessa smiled, but her eyes stayed on my face. "Gianna, everyone on campus is talking about you after last night's game. You seemed to appear out of nowhere. We checked the student records, and it says you transferred here late from out of state."

My posture went completely rigid. I kept my smile fixed on my face, but my fingers tightened against my napkin.

"Yes, that's right," I said, keeping my voice soft and calm. "I wanted a fresh start at a bigger university."

"Fascinating," Vanessa said, narrowing her eyes as she flipped a page on her notepad. "But it's strange. I called the registrar's office at your old school listed on the public transfer sheet—St. Jude’s Academy. They told me they have no record of a Gianna Cole ever attending their winter terms. Care to explain that?"

A cold wave of fear hit my stomach. The forged papers Ryker's team made had a glitch, or this reporter was smarter than we thought. If she keeps digging, the whole lie would fall apart right here in front of the school donors.

I opened my mouth to speak, trying to think of a quick lie, but Ryker beat me to it.

He shifted his massive body, placing his large hand firmly over mine on top of the white tablecloth. The warmth of his skin grounded me instantly. He looked up at Vanessa with a cool, calm expression that showed absolutely no fear.

"That's because she didn't go by Cole back then, Vanessa," Ryker said, his deep voice smooth and confident. "Gianna used her mother's maiden name at her old school for personal family reasons after a difficult divorce. When she transferred here, she legally switched back to her father's name, Cole. That's why the old files don't match up."

Vanessa blinked, her pen stopping over her pad. She looked surprised by his quick, logical answer. "Oh. I see. And what was that maiden name?"

Ryker let out a small, low laugh, squeezing my hand gently under his palm. "Now, Vanessa, you know I protect my girlfriend's privacy. Her family drama stays private. We're here to talk about hockey and the university, not old paperwork."

A few donors at the next table laughed along with Ryker, nodding in agreement. Vanessa's cheeks went a little pink. She realized she couldn't push further without looking rude in front of the wealthy guests.

"Of course," Vanessa said quickly, lowering her microphone. "Thank you for clearing that up, Ryker. Good luck with the next game."

She turned and walked away into the crowd, perhaps looking for another story.

As soon as she was out of sight, I let out the breath I had been holding, and looked down at the table.

Ryker's large hand was still covering mine, his thumb resting against my skin. He didn't move it away, and for the first time, I realized just how dangerous this fake contract was going to be.

He was too good at protecting me.